Ready to dig even deeper?
Our website has a complete introduction
to the history of
the African American Spiritual,
with historic audio and video examples
compiled by BCCS Artistic Director
Thomas Lloyd
expanding on an article he wrote for
The Choral Journal:
(click below)

Listen to the remarkable sound
and tight ensemble of
the Pine Forge Academy Choir
directed by Jarrett Roseborough
:(click below)

Listen to Ruth Naomi Floyd sing
and discuss her recent work
on the Mann Music Room:

Read two recent essays on the Spirituals
by Ruth Naomi Floyd:

Beauty Echoes: The Redemptive Power of African American Spirituals
published by The Rabbit Room, August 27, 2024.

Remembrance, Freedom, and Song
published by The Rabbit Room, July 19, 2024.

From the above essay: “The enslaved Africans survived the harsh system of slavery, and yet it did not kill their music. In the midst of the darkest time in American history, there was beauty. There was redemption. The prophet Zephaniah tells us that God sings over us with joy. Our singing God took something horrific and made beauty out of it. Beauty was redeemed,
and God did it through song.” - Ruth Naomi Floyd

October 20, 2024 Choral Society Program

Hall Johnson – Walk together children

R. Nathaniel Dett – Let us cheer the weary traveler

Eugene Simpson – Sinnuh please don’t let this harvest pass

Lee Cloud – My good Lord’s done been here

Floyd - Thar you must lay (from Are we yet somehow alive?)

Undine Smith Moore – I’m going home

Henry William Smith – Ride the chariot

H. T. Burleigh – Were you there?

Moses Hogan – I’m gonna sing ‘til the spirit moves in my heart 

Hall Johnson – City called heaven

Floyd - Wander (from Are we yet somehow alive?)

Pine Forge Academy Choir, Jarrett Roseborough, director:

Roland Carter – You must have that true religion
Robert Morris – Lead me, guide me
Jarrett Roseborough – Elijah Rock
    Moses Hogan – We shall walk through the valley in peace

Verolga Nix - King Jesus is a listening

combined choirs:
  Rosephanye Powell – Walk with me, Lord
Timothy Harrell, organ
  Rollo Dilworth – Roll, Jordan, Roll

(program is 90 minutes without intermission)